Fluidic stepping apparatus



Jan. 20, 1970 R. B. HARTMAN FLUIDIC STEPPIN'G APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3, 1967 FIG.4'

INVENTOR Aoanvr BJ/mrrmw ATTORN Y Jan.- 20, 1-970 R BVHARTMAN I 3,490,476

FLUIDIC STEP-PING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1967 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG? INVENTOR fieeszvr B. HAIIMAA/ ATTORNE United States Patent 3,490,476 FLUIDIC STEPPING APPARATUS Robert B. Hartman, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Coun., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 658,156 Int. Cl. F15c 1/12 US. Cl. 137-81.5 4 Claims ABSTRACT THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to fluidic stepping devices and particularly to one wherein an input impulse will advance a movable device from one stable position to the next.

Frequently, it is desirable to be able to obtain separate sequential outputs in control circuits. In the prior art, rotary or linearly operable stepping switches have been employed but these have not been completely satisfactory.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple stepping switch.

Another of the objects of the invention is to provide a fluidic stepping switch having a simple economical configuration which can be manufactured efiicaciously.

In one aspect of the invention, there are at least three interconnected channels in which a movable member is slidable from one stable position to another. The channels have their axes angularly disposed relative to each other and the input thereto is arranged so as to move the movable member from one position to the next position. Vent means is located in each channel between the stable positions of the movable member. There may be signal output means adjacent each of the signal input positions to provide a signal at the time the input is activated.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the invention as in FIG. 1 which has three stable positions.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are schematic views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that devices with 4, 5, 6-, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 8 stable positions respectively are illustrated.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of a further modification.

FIG. 1 shows two plates of plastic or suitable material which can have channels and passages arranged therein as shown in FIG. 2. Plates 8 and 9 may be of plastic held together by any suitable means.

Referring to FIG. 2, channels 20, 21 and 22 can be formed in plate 8 and joined so that their axes are angularly disposed relative to each other. Movable member 23 is shown in stable position A. Input signal aperture 24 feeds input channels 25, 26 which in turn are connected to input channels 27, 28, 29 leading to each of the stable positions. The channels 27, 28 and 29 are arranged to direct an air or fluid impulse in relation to the movable member so that the movable member will travel to the next stable position or location. Vents 30, 31 and 32 are shown 3,490,476 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 located between the stable positions. Signal output passages 33, 34, 35 are connected to the stable position locations adjacent the input passages, so as to receive back pressure from the channel junction containing the movable member. Channels 27, 28, 29 are proportioned relative to the various passages to provide appropriate restrictions to assure at least some flow from all three, regardless of the position of movable member 23.

With the movable member at A, when an input signal or pulse is applied at 24, member 23 will start to move. There will be a pressure applied to output passage 33 until the movable member passes vent 30 on its way to the next stable position B. The portion of input pulse exiting from 28 and 29 is dissipated through the vents without creation of back pressure at 34 or 35.

Upon the next pulse input at 24, movable member 23 will be stepped or moved to position C from position B, via input 28 and upon the next pulse will return to position A, via input 29.

The movable element must have sufficient friction so that it will be retained in the stable position to which it has been moved. The respective channel ends may act as positive stops for the movable member. Alternatively, other detention means could be used such as small magnetic fields, or arcuate channels with a slight hump (not shown), using gravity.

FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 9 show configurations wherein an even number of stable positions are provided. The movable member is indicated at 37 in each and the vents, input passages and output passages are similar to those shown in FIG. 1 and operate in the same fashion.

Examples of odd numbers of stable positions are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10 where the movable member 38 is identical to the prior described movable members. The channels, vents, input passages and output passages also are arranged in a manner similar to FIG. 1. In FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8, the axes of the channels rela tive to each other are at an acute angle to each other. This provides a more positive stop for the movable element as it reaches the next stable position, Also, in place of a solid movable member fluid movable elements could be used.

The output signal can be used to operate various devices and systems similar to prior art electric stepping switches.

It should also be apparent that separate inputs may be used for each stable position, in place of the common input of FIG. 2, such being shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Output signals may also be obtained from signal ports (not shown) at an angle to the plane of the channels, as described in copending application Ser. No. 629,254 filed Apr. 7, 1967.

In a further form, the movable member 40 may travel in a circular passage 41 with input passage 42 for each stable position and a signal output passage 43. Vent means 44 are located between each of the stable positions. Magnet means 45 may be located adjacent each stable position to hold the movable member at each location as it is moved thereto from the preceding station. In this form, the movable member should be of magnetic material.

The arrangement can be made reversible as shown in FIG. 11. Channel 40 has movable member 11 opposite stable position E. Inputs 42, 43 are provided so as to direct movement of member 41 according to which one is energized. Output passage 44 functions in a manner similar to that desscribed for the other embodiments.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluidic stepping memory device, the combination including movable signal means, channel means having at least three stable positions for said movable signal means, vent means in said channel means between each of said stable positions, signal input means at each of said stable positions having the axis of flow thereof directed so as to control the direction of movement of said movable means, said channel means being composed of at least three interconnected channels with the effective axis of each angularly disposed relative to the effective axes of the channels to which it is connected, the junction of said channels providing a stable position for said movable member at said junctions.

2. A device according to claim 1 including signal output means adjacent each input means providing a signal when the movable member is moved from a stable position.

3. A device according to claim 1 and including signal sensing means angularly disposed relative to the plane of the channels.

4. A device according to claim 1 and including magnetic means at each stable position for holding the movable member when moved thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,151,623 10/1964 Riordan 137-118 XR 3,168,898 2/1965 Samet l37--8l5 XR 3,334,644 8/1967 Williamson 137111 XR 3,362,633 1/1968 Freeman.

OTHER REFERENCES SAMUEL SCOTT, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 23 520 1 

